No amount of ice safety is too much!

[Backwater Eddy]

Due to the recent and yet ongoing tragedy of the loss of a young man through the ice on a snowmobile here on the Red River. I am compelled to again caution people to use EXTREAM caution on rivers and lakes this season.

On rivers sledding is very popular and often safe, if you fallow some rules.

1- Stay clear of bridges. Ice near bridges is often thin due to faster more focused flows and salt run off from the roadway. A rule of thumb is the river will run the easiest rout and therefore avoid those paths under bridges.

2- Stay far away from above and below any dams or riffles on rivers. The high amount of turbulence will NEVER allow safe ice to form in these areas. Thin ice may extend several hundred yards below a dam or above a dam. Know where these areas are ahead of time!

3- Never assume anything on ice. Just because you see other track on the ice does not mean the conditions NOW will hold you up. Assumptions may and often do kill you!

4- When sledding or fishing keep in eyeshot of your companions. Know where everyone is, do a buddy system, your buddy may save your life. I would recommend every sled have a throw rope handy as would I ice fisherman. Tie a large loop on each end big enough to slip around a body or wrap around an object quickly. Let others know where you go.

PLEASE..Be safe folks. Winter can be fun, yet it also has its potential dangers.

No amount of ice safety is too much ice safety.

Thank you,

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

[Walleye Express]

Ed.
I would add. Carry in your pockets, a pair of either 6 or 8 inch nails or those plastic coated spikes they sell at most sporting goods store. The spikes are actually both Hunter Orange and they float. You will not be able to pull yourself out grabing wet ice believe me.

[Backwater Eddy]

A great point, a very simple device like that gives you precious time and may allow you to extract yourself.

You can add velcro to the spikes and keep them on the sleeve and out of your way, yet accessible in a hurry when needed.

A very handy bit of advice, I am glad you brought that up!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson...><sUMo>

"Backwater Guiding"

[perchjerker]

That is a very good tip. What I did was take 2 old screwdrivers and grind a point on them, drill a hole through the handle, and tie a piece of thin rope between them. Then I run the thing up one coat sleeve, acroos the sholders and down the other one. I have a huge parka that I can tuck the screwdrivers in the sleeves, so I dont have to try to reach in a pocket in case of an emergency, and I dont have to worry about dropping them.

[shadowman]

good advice guys, take it from someone who went thur the ice on a river in the dark alone, very stupid me, i was able to get out and get back to my truck before i froze to death and i mean to death, needless to say i,m quite a different person now when it comes to ice fishing and i get the chills when i see someone on the ice taking chances, DON,T

[wiley walleye]

Cabela's has a the spikes in handle, attached with a slinky (telephone like) cord for $5 and some change. I picked a pair up the last time there.
A good tip I was given, is carry a skiing rope with the handle. Good for throwing to the hole.
I too have lost friends to the ice. You never forget that spot and it leaves a sick feeling out on the water.
BE CAREFUL
Joe